Local tax refunds to be checked and claimed in private apps such as Kakao from December (planned) — payouts also via Paybook Money, Monimoney and Kakao Pay Money
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to launch a service in December 2026 that lets people check and claim local tax refunds in private apps such as Kakao.
Key facts
| Planned launch | December 2026 |
|---|---|
| How to use | Check and claim refunds in one place through private apps such as Kakao |
| Payout options | Bank transfer, BC Card Paybook Money, Samsung Card Monimoney, Kakao Pay Money |
| Private-sector participants | Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute, BC Card, Samsung Card (monimo), Shinhan Bank, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, iM Bank, NH NongHyup Bank, Kakao, KakaoBank, Kakao Pay |
| Previous process | Contact the local government directly or check on the Wetax website, then claim by bank transfer |
| Inquiries | Ministry of the Interior and Safety Local Tax Policy Division (044-205-3808), Public Service Innovation Division (044-205-2776), KFTC Financial Certification Center (02-531-1530) |
Last checked:
On October 22, Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety (행정안전부) signed a business agreement with local governments, the Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute and private companies to carry out a 'local tax refund inquiry and refund service' (지방세 환급금 조회·환급 서비스). Until now, to receive a local tax refund, people had to contact their local government directly or visit the Wetax website to check whether a refund was due, and then request payment by bank transfer. Going forward, people will be able to check and claim a refund in one place through private apps they already use, such as Kakao, and the ministry plans to launch the service in December 2026. Once launched, refunds can be received by the existing bank transfer method or as BC Card Paybook Money, Samsung Card Monimoney, or Kakao Pay Money.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How are local tax refunds received now?
Until now, people had to contact their local government directly or visit the Wetax website to check whether a refund was due, and then request payment by bank transfer.
Once the new service launches, how can refunds be received?
Refunds can be received by the existing bank transfer method or as BC Card Paybook Money, Samsung Card Monimoney, or Kakao Pay Money. The ministry plans to launch the service in December 2026.